Rubbish tip opening times to change from next week in Northampton

Paul Lynch

Revised opening hours are set to take effect at waste recycling centres across Northamptonshire from next week in a bid to save the county council £430,000 a year.

People in Northamptonshire had been asked for their views on proposals the county council had drawn up on how the service could be run more efficiently.

Using feedback from the consultation, the authority now says it has refined the plans, which will be implemented from February 1.

But a spokesperson for the council said Wollaston recycling centre could be kept open - as the authority is exploring the possibility of allowing a third party to run the site.

Wollaston will remain open until at least March 31, 2015, and may continue to open beyond this date subject to the “successful outcome of the current negotiations,” a spokesperson said.

Other changes will see the remaining nine sites opening on five days a week with the opening hours of all sites to be between 10am and 6pm all year round, the timings favoured by the majority of people surveyed.

County council cabinet member for transport, highways and environment, Councillor Michael Clarke, said: “We’ve received a great deal of feedback from people during the consultation and we’ve used this to help shape proposals, namely around opening hours and days.

“I’m pleased that we’re exploring the possibility of the Wollaston HWRC being run by a third party and am hopeful that a solution can be found.

“Our household waste recycling centres are a very important service, providing hubs where people can take their waste and recycling.”

The service currently costs the council £2.7million annually, however, these proposals, when fully implemented will save the council annually £430,000 by the end of 2016/17, which is a reduction in costs of approximately 16 per cent.

The recycling centre at Sixfields will be shut on Mondays and Thursdays under the new opening hours. For a full list head to the Northamptonshire County Council website.